Jackson Free Press

Jackson Showboats owner and general manager Grant Worsley is excited about the future of the Showboats.

One of his major goals was to reach the American Basketball Association Playoffs, which the team did in its first season. The Showboats lost in the first round to the Gulf Coast Flash 144-114.

Worsley's two other main goals were branding the team and fielding a competitive team.

The Showboats finished their first season with a 7-3 record and saw coaching and player changes before the second season started. Wright Busching, was named coach before taking over his alma mater Jackson Academy and player Dan Foley took a coaching job at Belhaven. Sherman Brown took over as head coach after Busching left the team.

Worsley wants the best for all his former and current coaches, saying he hopes the exposure both Busching and Foley received in their brief time with the Showboats helped them land their current jobs. "I want to promote and give exposure to all the players and coaches that are part of the Showboat family," Worsley says.

"Players that move on from the Showboats not only helps them but helps the team" Worsley says. "It helps other players know that coming to Jackson to play for the Showboats is the right move for their career."

Worsley fielded a competitive team, as shown by the team's appearance in the playoffs, in his first season with players like Chris Hyche and Jenirro Bush from Jackson State. Both Bush and Hyche were signed by teams in Mexico after the Showboats season was over.

He credits the Showboats' first-year success to having the right guys on the roster. "We had a good group of guys on this team," he says. "We didn't have any knuckleheads. The guys were professional, showed up on time and wanted to become better players."

The last goal for Worsley was branding his team. He has been building partnerships around the metro area.

Showboats players have been at the Jackson Zoo, Ridgeland KidsFest and on May 18, the team played an exhibition game at Piney Woods High School. Worsley and the Showboats have also partnered with Jackson Public Schools to promote summer reading.

Now that the first season is over, Worsley is still promoting his players. Three players (Trey Montgomery, Dietric Slater and Flawaan Flaags) will head to Las Vegas to showcase their skills for a shot at making a D-League (NBA minor league) team.

Worsley is also looking forward to the team's second season. He has already held tryouts for next year's team in Vicksburg.

"I am on the lookout for players who have played high-level college basketball and are looking continue their playing career in professional basketball," Worsley says. "I am open to anyone contacting me wanting a chance to advance their career."

He also plans to build on last year's goals. Worsley wants the Jackson Showboats to become a top-four ABA team and bring a championship to Jackson.

To take the team to the next level, Worsley is focused on stepping up branding and marketing of the Showboats with radio and TV ads, and do more to in the community. Worsley believes assembling the highest talent available is the best way to accomplish his goals in year two of the Showboats.

You can follow the Showboats on Twitter (@JXNShowboats) and on Facebook to keep up with everything the team is doing and get updates on the upcoming season.